On July 14, 2026, Imperiaware hosted the workshop “Business Networks and the Space Economy: Opportunities for Innovation and Competitiveness” at its headquarters in Imperia. The event was promoted with the strategic support of Italy & Partners, Iobo, and Retimpresa.
The initiative was driven by a clear objective: to demonstrate that high-level innovation opportunities can flourish even in territories far from major metropolitan areas, transforming places such as Imperia—and many other regions across Italy—into true hubs of excellence.
The Value of Business Collaboration in Space Technologies
Understanding the motivation behind the workshop requires recognizing that today’s high-tech markets demand a new approach. Business networks offer a practical solution by enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to overcome their individual size limitations, gaining access to supply chains, partnerships, and procurement opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach.
Within the Space Economy, this collaborative model becomes even more valuable. By sharing expertise, companies can integrate space-based data and digital technologies into their business processes without bearing the full cost of the initial investment alone. The result is a sustainable model that maximizes the balance between costs and benefits for all participating organizations.
The Speakers and Opening Sessions
To translate this vision into practical opportunities for the local business community, the event opened with institutional remarks from Luciano Tesorini, President of Confindustria Imperia, and Paolo Della Pietra, Director of Confindustria Imperia. Their speeches framed the topics of business networks and the Space Economy within the local industrial landscape, outlining strategies to strengthen the regional economic ecosystem.
This was followed by Giancarlo Turati, Member of the Executive Board of Retimpresa – Confindustria, who explored the central role of business networks as a driver of innovation. Turati highlighted how sharing both tangible and intangible assets has become a strategic necessity for increasing business responsiveness and competitiveness in global markets.
From Theory to Practice: The Iobo Method and Real-World Case Studies
The workshop then shifted from theory to the practical tools needed to build and manage collaborative networks. Davide Sangiorgi, Network Manager, introduced the Iobo Method, a structured framework developed within the Iobo network to transform early-stage ideas into concrete projects, scalable products, and new startup initiatives. The methodology proved to be an essential tool for managing every stage of the innovation process while effectively coordinating business activities.
The practical application of space technologies was then presented by Guido Parissenti, Founder and CEO of Apogeo Space, who showcased real-world projects demonstrating how space data and infrastructure are reshaping digital transformation strategies.
Finally, Antonio Altana, Project Manager at STAM S.r.l., completed the discussion by illustrating the opportunities the Space Economy offers both businesses and local communities in terms of operational efficiency, monitoring capabilities, and the development of advanced services.
Roundtable Discussion: Turning Innovation into Action
The workshop concluded with an interactive roundtable moderated by Raffaele Gareri, Smart City Expert, featuring all the event speakers.
The discussion focused on the practical implementation of business networks and space technologies, offering a transparent analysis of both costs and benefits. Participants explored concrete ways to integrate these solutions into their organizations while identifying actionable strategies for launching sustainable innovation projects.
The event concluded with a networking aperitif, providing entrepreneurs and speakers with an opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships, and lay the foundation for future collaborations across the region.
Driving Innovation Forward with Italy & Partners
The success of the workshop, organized by Imperiaware together with Italy & Partners, Iobo, and Retimpresa, demonstrated that combining the structural strength of business networks with the opportunities offered by the Space Economy is a key strategy for competing in today’s global markets.
Italy & Partners remains committed to supporting companies that wish to pursue business collaboration, digital transformation, and long-term strategic growth.
For more information about the topics discussed during the event or to explore development opportunities for your business, we invite you to contact our team through the dedicated section of our website or by reaching out to our information desk.